17wsm

[camel]

I picked up a near new Ruger 17SM Stainless varminter recently, keen to get out and have a play with it, like the idea of a bit more reach than the 17HMR, and its just that bit different to other stuff out there.

You fellas would have had a good play with it over there by now, so what is the general concensus of you that have one ? Like, dislike, ho humm, what do you reckon ?

Ammo, I got a heap that came with the rifle, both 20 and 25gn bullet weight, previous owner reckons the 25 was a bit better accuracy, but am kinda hoping that I can get the 20s cranking with reasonable accuracy, and shooting a bit flatter.

Opinions please gentlemen.

[Basher]

I have no direct experience, but have done a lot of reading on it as I had a chance to get one for a somewhat reasonable deal given current circumstances (poor economy and supply chain issues/ammo shortages in the US). In my case, it would have been a Savage Bmag.

However, what I found was that the Bmag is very much a “budget” rifle, with many problems at release including mechanical failures and very lackluster accuracy. To my knowledge, Savage is the only manufacturer currently making a rifle for it. Ruger has discontinued the Model 77, and with the ammo shortage going on the ammo is very expensive for a rimfire (often approaching or even exceeding $1USD per shot). Those two factors drove me away from it. It seems like a great little round filling the gap between the .17HMR and the .17 Hornet, but if I’m going to pay that much, I’ll just get a Hornet (also not incredibly well supported at the moment, but well enough) and reload it so I don’t take a gamble at having a rifle I can’t get ammo for. Frankly, unless other manufacturers start making rifles chambered for it, I see it being a very boutique round produced in occasional batches like the .17HM2.

That said, I’d stock up on ammo whenever you find it in stock and reasonably priced, just in case. Some folks have reported good accuracy with them, and it does pack a punch!

[camel]

Thanks for the reply, and yes I have over 2000 shots in the ammo cupboard, cost around the 50c mark in Aussie $, which sounds reasonable to me seeing as some HMR ammo costs more. Deals can be done with the larger gunshops on bulk ammo, one bloke I know bought 30,000 rounds and only paid around 30c per shot, but he is a pro shooter and goes through a lot of ammo each year.

[Singleshot 7369]

Got a Bmag and mounted it in a Boyd's Stock & it's one of my favorite plinkers. Have a good supply for now and saw a few boxes at a local sporting goods store, for around $23 a box so things are showing signs of things coming around.

[Gerald D.]

If you get a good one they're a lot of gun, ammo consistency is it's bugaboo, mine shoots bug holes with one lot of 15 gr. and 1 1/2 MOA with most ammo.

[17VLD]

I like mine very well and even with the shorter 18.5” barrel I still get 3000 FPS with the 20s and excellent groups.It definitely has its place.I hope one day CCI will get on board and make ammo too.I like the fact that you can get a rimfire that approaches what the smaller centerfire 17s can do but would like to see a stronger following for it.I also enjoy my 17mach2,17HMR and my 17AH.Enjoy it they are a blast.
Matt